Open Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean Green Sector
The University of Agriculture in Tirana (Albania) hosted the inaugural event for the 1st Level International Master in Open Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean Green Sector on 12 June 2024 at 11 am. This new academic programme is a significant investment in the skills of young people, to steer the process of building innovation ecosystems and support a greener and more competitive transition of local economic systems in Albania.
It is a first step to train future innovation managers who will be the champions of new approaches and methodologies in building innovation ecosystems through the involvement of public institutions and business support organisations.
The initiative is promoted by an international partnership between the University of Agriculture of Tirana, LUM University "Giuseppe Degennaro" of Bari, CIHEAM and CIHEAM Bari, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the support of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania under the auspices of the Apulia Region, the Albanian Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The Master's objective is to educate a new generation of innovation managers, facilitate the establishment of start-ups, and encourage private companies to participate in the green transition process towards innovative business models. Additionally, the initiative aims to involve students from the Balkan countries, thereby strengthening the geopolitical and social value of the initiative. The programme is also designed to halt the exodus of young people from Albania and the Balkans, and offers a double degree that is valid for Albania and Italy/EU, thanks to the collaboration between the University of Agriculture in Tirana and LUM University in Italy.
The inaugural event, entitled "The Future is young: changing mindsets to deal with change” is chaired and moderated by Prof. Erinda Lika, deputy Rector of AUT is opened by Damiano Petruzzella, CIHEAM Bari. Welcome addresses are delivered by Fatbardh Sallaku, Rector of the Agricultural University of Tirana, Antonello Garzoni, Rector of LUM, Maurizio Raeli, Director of CIHEAM Bari, Alessandro D'Oria, Director of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, and Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM.
Institutional speeches were followed by Mr. Enio Civici, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Arjan Ymeri, Director of Startup Albania; Silvia Visciano, Puglia Region. Frida Krifca, President of CIHEAM, greetings and summarised the conclusions.
A cooperation agreement for the implementation of the 1st Level International Master in Open Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean Green Sector is signed in the margins of the meeting between the University of Agriculture of Tirana, LUM University, CIHEAM Bari and CIHEAM General Secretariat.
The Master's programme and the training of innovation managers are the starting point for the development of an innovation ecosystem in Albania aimed at the green transition. This model aims at strengthening and qualifying incubators, promoting activities to empower local start-ups and collaborating with businesses, in synergy with the Startup Albania Agency, with which CIHEAM Bari has formalised a cooperation agreement.
